Violence, Sacrifice, and Medieval Narrative

This course will introduce students to medieval prose and poetry that centralize the problematic nature of violent conflict and its attendant horrors. We will study literature from medieval England, Wales, Ireland, and Iceland, including Beowulf , two Old Icelandic sagas and Eddic poetry, Irish and Welsh texts, and part of Malory's Morte Darthur . Topics will include sacrifice, religion, chivalry, horror, and contemporary critical approaches. Open to undergraduates only.